US okays US$2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan including missile defence system

The United States has approved US$2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including the first-time delivery to the self-ruled island of an advanced surface-to-air missile defence system, in a move sure to anger China.

Taiwan’s presidential office on Saturday thanked Washington for giving the green light to the potential arms sales.

Under the island’s new president, Lai Ching-te, Taiwan has been stepping up defence measures as China increased its military threats against the territory it claims as its own.

Beijing last week held war games encircling Taiwan for the second time since Lai took office in May.

Beijing regards the island as a breakaway province to be brought under mainland control – by force, if necessary. Many countries, including the US, do not officially recognise Taiwan as an independent state but oppose the use of force to change the status quo.

The US is Taiwan’s strongest unofficial ally and its laws bound it to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.